UCLA scientist develop new high-speed microscope

Scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) recently announced that they have developed a non-invasive, high-speed microscope that can record the firing of thousands of neurons in the brain, reports the school's news website.

The new microscope may give more insight into how thousands of neurons communicate with each other in the brain of individuals who suffer from autism or other learning disorders.

Officials told the website that neuropsychiatric diseases like autism often show no physical brain damage, rather they are caused by neurons not firing properly. Furthermore, the researchers added that normal cells have certain patterns of electrical activity. However, abnormal cell activity may not create information the brain can use.

Scientists noted that visualizing brain activity could be important in finding the root causes of autism. Imaging devices such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography may not give the entire picture of brain activity and therefore may not be as effective as their new microscope technology.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 13 percent of children have a developmental disability, ranging from language impairments to autism.